Ape Drums Debuts New Single in Spike Jonze Directed Ad for KENZO

Ape Drums Releases “Mutant Brain” with Sam Spiegel and Assassin Featured in Short Film Directed by Spike Jonze for KENZO

Sam Spiegel releases his debut single “Mutant Brain” with Houston-based producer Ape Drums, out now on Interscope. “Mutant Brain” features guest vocals by Jamaican dancehall artist Assassin, who has also worked with Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar.

Spiegel originally wrote “Mutant Brain” for a short film/commercial for Parisian brand KENZO’s new fragrance line, which launched yesterday. The spot is directed by Spiegel’s brother, Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Jonze. The short film provides one of the most uniquely spirited contemporary dance sequences since Jonze directed Christopher Walken in Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon Of Choice.” Watch it here.

Ape Drums’ signature dancehall rhythms mixed with big room sounds have already garnered support from some of the world’s top DJs & musicians including Major Lazer, Skrillex, Sean Paul and DJ Snake. The Houston, Texas native began DJing and producing at the age of fifteen, with humble b-boy beginnings as a member of his high school’s dance crew. His debut single “Bashment” was released on Slow Roast Records in 2014 and set the dance world on fire with its addictive rhythms, setting the course for Ape Drums’ future – bringing his unique blend of electronic and dancehall to the masses. With dancehall and electronic music creeping further towards the mainstream, and a huge 2016 on the horizon with releases on both Mad Decent & Fools Gold, collaborations with Major Lazer & Lil Uzi Vert there’s no telling what heights Ape will reach next.

L.A.-based Sam Spiegel has been working under the pseudonym Squeak E. Clean since co-producing a 2005 album for The Pharcyde’s Fatlip. Since then, he has produced acclaimed albums for such artists as Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Crystal Castles, scored a series of feature-length films, and built his own award-winning commercial music company, creating music for major brands like Nike, Toyota, Levi’s, Apple, and ESPN. Along with composing an alternative opera, Spiegel also headed up N.A.S.A. — a genre-smashing musical project featuring the likes of David Byrne, M.I.A., and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. After years of cultivating a polymathic career that’s also included his ongoing work as a globally in-demand DJ, Spiegel is now set to deliver his first musical release under his own name.